Extendable drive shaft



Jan. 28, 1964 E. SCHULTE EXTENDABLE DRIVE SHAFT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Jan. 7, 1960 I NVEN TOR 1 9210/ scat/L 7-5 Jan. 28, 1964 E. SCHULTE EXTENDABLEY DRIVE SHAFT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Jan. 7, 196.0

aw @NQN QM INVENTOR I ERlcH SCHULTE Jan. 28, 1964 I E. SCHULTE 3,119,245

EXTENDABLE DRIVE SHAFT Original Filed Jan. 7, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ER/cH .ScHuUF United States Patent hruch, Germany Original application Jan. 7, 1960, Ser. No. 1,005. Divided and this application Feb. 15, 1962, Ser. No. 173,433 Claims priority, application Germany Jan. 7, 1959 7 Claims. (Cl. 64-8) The present invention relates to improvements in a multiple-stand continuous rolling mill which is utilized in the production of wire from wire rods or in the manufacture .of light-section steel products.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 1,005, filed January 7, 196-0, entitled Multiple-Stand Continuous Rolling Mills for the Production of Wire, Light-Section Steel Products and the Like.

Recent types of rolling mills for the continuous production of wire or light-section steel products embody a number of complicated electric driving and control devices which greatly increase the cost of such apparatus. It is, therefore, very desirable to complete the periodically required conversions of the rolling mill to operation in accordance with a different rolling schedule or eventual repairs of certain component parts within shortest periods of time in order to reduce the attendant production losses, It was already proposed to connect the roll stands with their respective driving spindles by readily separable coupling assemblies in order to permit movements of each roll stand along its sole plate in a direction at right angles to the travel of goods. Such systems further utilize spare roll stands which are movable into the roll train as soon as a roll stand is removed therefrom.

According to another prior proposal, the rolling mill comprises two spare roll trains each of which may be utilized for the manufacture of wire with a given gauge. Such arrangement brings about considerable simplification in the construction of roll stands in each roll train because the roll lines, normally comprising two or more stands, do not require a number of dies for the so-called blind pass of processed material such as are invariably required in a roll line forming part of a roll train with a diversified rolling schedule, i.e. in a roll train which is utilized for the manufacture of different types of rolled articles. In addition, the control range of electric motors utilized for the operation of stands in spare roll trains is much narrower which also contributes to a reduction in cost of the entire wireor light-section steel producing rolling mill. While the just described assemblies can operate with comparatively low production losses because the main roll train also comprises roll stands in each of its roll lines, the provision of two spare roll trains and twin stands in the main roll train greatly increases the manufacturing and maintenance costs, and requires considerable floor space for its installation.

An import object of the present invention is to provide a simplified rolling mill for the manufacture of wire and light-section steel products which can operate with a diversified rolling schedule and whose operation need not be interrupted when the rolling schedule is changed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rolling mill of the above outlined characteristics whose roll stands need not be disconnected from their drives even if moved out of their original roll line into the roll lines of another roll train.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a rolling mill which may be readily transformed from a single-train into a two-train rolling mill practically without any production losses.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide a novel system for reciprocating the roll stands between a "ice pair of parallel roll lines without interrupting the connection of roll stands with their power drives.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a two-train continuous rolling mill which may be readily transformed into a single-train rolling mill.

With the above objects in view, the invention resides in a continuous rolling mill with a diversified rolling schedule, such as may be utilized for the production of wire of different gauges as well as for the production of light-section steel products, wherein lengthy interruptions in operation and attendant production losses are avoided by the provision of roll stands which are movable in a direction at right angles to the travel of processed material to permit simultaneous movements of suitable material guiding and conveying assembtlies into the roll lines without, however, requiring disconnection of roll stands from their drives. The roll stands of each roll train are disposed in one or more groups, hereinafter called roll lines, and a switch is provided in the conveyor system not only in advance but also in the rear of each roll line to permit rerouting of goods from the roll line or lines of one roll train toward the roll line or lines of the roll train which is formed by transversely displaced roll stands. The movements of a roll stand without interrupting its operative connection with the drive means are made possible by the provision of one or more extendable and contractible drive shafts of novel design each of which may be installed in the operative connection be' tween a roll stand and its associated power drive, e.g. an electric motor or the like. The roll stand may be reoiprocated by a double-acting cylinder and piston as sembly which brings about a corresponding expansion or contraction of the aforementioned drive shaft and simultaneously shifts the guiding assembly which is to replace the stand in its roli train.

By moving one or more selected roll stands from the roll line or lines in one roll train, a series of roll lines may be formed which then constitute a second roll train paral tel with the original train. Such arrangement enables the attendants to convert the roll lines of one roll train for operation according to a new rolling schedule while the second roll train remains in operation, or vice versa. The aforementioned switches enable the conveyors to move the goods from a roll line in one roll train to a roll line in the other roll train, to continuously advance the goods between and through the roll lines of one roll train, or to advance the goods only between and through the roll lines of the other roll train.

It is preferred to provide a single extendable drive shaft between the customary pinion frame and a reducing or intermediate gearing which is operated by the motor means of the respective roll stand. The pinion frame, the guide assembly and the roll stand are then connected with each other for simultaneous movements along a common sole plate, the movements being brought about by the aforementioned double-acting cylinder and piston assembly or an equivalent apparatus. Of course, it is equally possible to provide extendable drive shafts between the rolls in the pinion frame and the rolls in the roll stand; the pinion frame may then remain stationary while the guide assembly and the roll stand move with respect thereto when it is desired to move the roll stand transversely into and between its end positions in the roll lines of two parallel roll trains.

Each extendable drive shaft preferably comprises a spindle formed at its ends with toothed heads whose teeth are of convex configuration and mesh with internal teeth of two aligned coupling sleeves. One end of each sleeve is slida-ble along the spindle and is preferably slightly pivotable with respect thereto, e.g., by the provision of elastic inserts which simultaneously prevent the entry of dust or other foreign matter into the coupling sleeves.

Means is provided for preventing complete withdrawal of the spindle from the coupling sleeves. Each sleeve preferably consists of two rigidly joined parts one of which is connected to a motion transmitting or receiving shaft so that the two sleeves, being in permanent rotationtransmitting or receiving connection with the spindle, transmit rota-tion from '3. driving shaft at one end of the spindle (e.g. the shaft which is driven by the motor of the respective roll stand) to a driven shaft at the other end of the spindle (e.g. the shaft connected to the pinion frame). The sleeves are slidable in the axial direction of the spindle to either increase or reduce the overall length of the composite drive shaft.

Suitable means, such as threaded spindles or the like, may be provided for permitting exact adjustments in the position of aforementioned guide assemblies in a roll line when the guide assemblies are moved into the roll lines to take the place and to fill the gaps developing in a roll train upon removal of the roll stands.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of a specific embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of a continuous rolling mill embodying my invention whose roll train consists of three roll lines, with the driving means and certain auxiliary components omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top plan view of a second roll train which is formed by moving selected roll stands from the roll lines of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged front elevational view of a roll stand with driving and reciprocating means therefor, further showing a guiding assembly which may replace the roll stand in its roll line;

FIG. 4 is an axial section through an extendable drive shaft forming part of the means for driving the rolls in a pinion frame and a roll stand; and

FIG. 5 is a partly side elevational and partly sectional view of a material guiding and conveying assembly which may replace a roll stand in the roll line.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, and first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the number of roll stands 9 in each of the roll lines I, 2, 3 (FIG. 1) or 1a, 2a, 3a (FIG. 2) is given only by way of example and may be varied depending upon the rolling schedule and the desired gauge of processed material. As is shown in FIG. 1, the rolling mill comprises an oven or baker 4 which heats the starting material, eg wire rods, to a desired temperature, and the heated wire rods are thereupon moved through the roll train consisting of roll lines 1, 2, 3 over suitable roller tables or like conveyors 5, 6, 7, respectively. The roller table 8 delivers finished products to a non-represented cooling table. The roll train of FIG. 2 comprises three roll lines 1a, 2a, 3a which may be connected with each other or with the roll lines of FIG. 1 by a number of conveyors in a manner to be described in greater detail hereinafter.

In order to avoid production losses when the roll stands 9 of one or more roll lines 1, 2, 3 must be converted for operation according to a different rolling schedule, each of these roll stands is movable at right angles to the direction in which the goods advance to such an extent that it may be replaced in the respective roll line by a material guiding and conveying assembly 10 of the type shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. When moved from the roll train of FIG. 1, the stands 9 assume the broken-line positions 9' indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thus, the roll line 1 of FIG. 1 which normally comprises five roll stands 9 may be transformed into a roll line comprising only three roll stands and two additional guiding assemblies CAD 10. The newly formed roll line In of the roll train shown in FIG. 2 then comprises the two roll stands 9 which were shifted at right angles to the advance of goods from the roll train in the rolling mill of FIG. I. The roll lines 2a, 3a of FIG. 2 are formed in analogous manner. The attendants are now free to convert the roll lines 1, Z, 3 of FIG. 1 for operation according to a different rolling schedule while the roll lines 1a, 2a, 3a of FIG. 2 remain in operation, or vice versa.

If the roll stands 9 in the roll lines 1a, 2a, 3a of FIG. 2 continue to produce a wire or a like product, the wire rods delivered from the oven 4 onto the conveyor 5 may be deflected by a switch 11 onto a conveyor or roller table 12 which latter leads to the roll line 1a and thence to the second conveyor 6 between the roll lines 1, 2 of FIG. 1. A second switch 13 may deflect the goods from the conveyor 6 onto a conveyor 14 which leads to the second roll line 2a of FIG. 2, i.e. the wire rods partially treated during the passage through the roll line In may be led along the conveyors 12, 6 into the roll line 2 or along the conveyors 12, 14 to the roll line 2a. The conveyor 14 extends to a third switch 15 in the roller table 7 so that the partially processed material leaving the roll line 2 may be transferred by the conveyor 7 over the switch 15 (in the latters non-represented upper position) into the roll line 3 or over the switch 15 (in full-line position) and along a further conveyor 16 which latter leads to the roll line 3a. It is also possible to guide the product from the roll line 2a along the conveyor 14, over the switch 15 and along the conveyor 16 into the roll line 3a. The conveyor 16 preferably merges with the conveyor 8 and advances the finished products from the roll line 3:: onto the cooling table. As before stated, the number of roll stands 9' in the roll train of FIG. 2 depends upon the rolling schedule and may be varied as required.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the position of the roll stand 9 in full lines corresponds to its position in any one of roll lines 1, 2, 3 shown in FIG. 1. When shifted into one of roll lines 1a, 2a, 3a of FIG. 2, the roll stand 9 assumes the broken-line position of 9a. A sole plate 18 supports the the roll stand 9, the guiding and conveying assembly 10, the latters carrier 10a, and a pinion frame 17. The assemblies 9, 10 and 17 are rigidly connected to each other for movements with respect to the sole plate 18. The base 9A of the roll stand 9 is articulately connected with the rod 19 of a non-represented double-acting piston which is recriprocably received in the horizontal cylinder 20. The rolls in the pinion frame 17 are driven by an electric or like motor 22 through a coupling 21, an intermediate or reducing gearing 23 and a composite driving shaft 24 of variable length which latter is shown in greater detail in FIG. 4 of the drawings. This extendable shaft compensates for changes in the position of pinion frame 17 with respect to the motor 22 and coupling 21 when the interconnected assemblies 9, 10 and 17 are moved by the piston rod 19. The composite drive shaft 24 comprises a spindle 24A whose end portions or heads 24a, 2411 are formed with one or more arcuate teeth 25 which mesh with axially parallel internal teeth of a two-piece coupling sleeve. One half of this sleeve consists of parts 26a, 2611 which are rigidly connected to each other by screw bolts 28. Similar screw bolts 28 connect the parts 27a, 27b of the other sleeve half. The parts 26a, 27a preferably assume the form of comparatively short flanged rings connected to the shafts 23a, 17a of reducing gear 23 and pinion frame 17, respectively. The shaft ends 23a, 17a are non-rotatably inserted into the members 26a, 27a, e.g. by shrinking or in any other suitable way. A flange 26c is integral with or may be welded onto the body of the ring 26a, and a similar flange 27c is integral with or may be welded to the other ring 27a. The outer ends of cylindrical sleeve portions 26b, 27b have external flanges 29 thereon which are welded thereto or may be integral therewith, and which are connected to the flanges 26c, 27c,

respectively, by the aforementioned screw bolts 28. Flanges 2% may be welded to the portions 26b, 27b. The inner ends of cylindrical sleeve portions 26b, 27b carry inwardly extending annular end plates 30 whose bores are lined with elastic inserts 31 abutting against and slidable along the periphery of spindle 24A. The elastic inserts 31 and the convex teeth 25 permit the spindle 24A to assume a number of positions slightly out of axial alignment with the cylindrical sleeve portions 26b, 27b. In addition, the inserts 31 prevent entry of foreign matter into the interior of parts 26b, 27b.

The carrier a of the guiding and conveying assembly 10 comprises a downwardly extending projection or block 34 which is formed with a tapped bore for a spindle 32. The latter is rotatable in but is prevented from axial displacements with respect to a plate 33 slidably mounted atop the sole plate 18. By rotating the spindle 32 in clockwise or anticlockwise direction, the carriage 10a of the guiding assembly 10 is reciprocable along the driving shafts 36, 37 in order to move the assembly 10 into exact alignment with the roll stands 9 in one of the roll lines 1, 2, 3 shown in FIG. 1. Thus, the spindle 32 enables an operator to move the assembly 10 with respect to the stand 9 and frame 17 at right angles to the advance of goods. The threads 32a of the spindle 32 remain in constant mesh with internal threads in the horizontal bore of projection 34 on the carrier 10a. The purpose of shafts 36, 37 is to drive the rolls 9a, 9b of the roll stand 9.

If desired, a pair of extendable drive shafts similar to the member 24 may be provided between the pinion frame 17 and the roll stand 9 to rotate the latters rolls 9:: and 9b. The shaft 24 may then be replaced by a simple shaft since the extendable drive shafts between the assemblies 17, 9 (replacing the drive shafts 36, 37) enable the stand to move along the sole plate 18 while the pinion frame 17 remains rigidly fixed to the sole plate. The guiding assembly 10 may be replaced by a conveyor section, i.e. a table section of requisite length, if desired, as long as the roll train remains uninterrupted upon removal of one or more roll stands.

When it is necessary to move a selected roll stand 9 from the roll line 1, 2 or 3 of FIG. 1 into one of the roll lines 1a, 2a, 3a of FIG. 2, a fluid pressure medium from a non-represented source, controlled by non-represented valves of any known design, is introduced into the cylinder 2d of the selected roll stand in order to move the latter into the position 9'. The piston rod 19 shown in FIG. 3 then moves in the direction of arrow 35. Simultaneously with the movement of a roll stand 9 into the position 9, the corresponding guiding assembly 10 moves into the position 10 (FIG. 3) previously occupied by the roll stand. The guiding assembly 10 is formed with means 101) (see FIG. 5) for leading a partially treated wire rod 38 to the next roll stand 9 in the roll line 1, 2 or 3 of the roll train shown in FIG. 1. The roll stands 9 in lines la, 2a, 3a of the roll train shown in FIG. 2 may then be converted for operation according to a difierent rolling schedule while the roll lines 1, 2 and 3 continue the processing of one or more wire rods, or vice versa.

If the cross-section of the conveyed material 38 is such that it cannot be bent or deflected, e. g. if the rolling mill is utilized for the production of light-section profiled steel stock, the material is heated in the oven or baker 4a of FIG. 2 and conveyed by an additional roller table 12a to move in a straight line directly to the roll line 101. It is also possible to provide straight conveyors in the form of roller table sections 12b, 16b between the roll lines 1a, 2a and 2a, 3a, respectively. The oven 4a may form part of the oven 4 shown in FIG. 1.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of this inven- 5 tion and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. As a novel article of manufacture for use in a rolling mill for the production of wire and the like, an extendable drive shaft comprising, in combination: an elongated spindle having an axis, a first end, and a second end; a head at each of said ends and each formed with axially parallel teeth; a first and a second sleeve member each including a chamber therein for slideably receiving one of said heads and having internal teeth meshing with the teeth of the respective head, the length of said chamber being equal to several times the largest diagonal dimension of the head received therein, said sleeve members being movable relative to said spindle and heads in the axial direction thereof; and means connected with each of said sleeve members and slidably engaging with said spindle to guide said sleeve members for axial movements toward and away from each other to thereby increase or reduce the overall length of said extendable drive shaft.

2. As a novel article of manufacture for use in a rolling mill for the production of wire and the =like, an extendable drive shaft comprising, in combination: an elongated spindle having an axis, a first end, and a second end; a substantially round head at each of said ends and each formed with axially parallel teeth; a first and a second sleeve member each including a chamber therein for slideably receiving one of said heads and having internal teeth meshing with the teeth of the respective head, the 'length of said chamber being equal to several times the diameter of the head received therein, said sleeve members being movable relative to said spindle and heads in the axial direction thereof, one of said sleeve members connectable with a driving means and the other of said sleeve members connectable with a driven means for transmitting thereto rotation of the driving means through said one sleeve member, said spindle and said other sleeve member; and means connected with each of said sleeve members and slidably engaging said spindle to guide said sleeve members for axial movements to ward and away from each other to thereby increase or reduce the overall length of said extendable drive shaft.

3. As a novel article of manufacture for use in a rolling mill for the production of Wire and the like, an extendable drive shaft comprising, in combination: an elongated spindle having an axis, a first end, and a second end; -a head at each of said ends and each formed with axially parallel arcuate teeth; a first and a second sleeve member each including a chamber therein for slideably receiving one of said heads and having internal teeth meshing with the teeth of the respective head, the length of said chamber being equal to several times the largest diagonal dimension of the head received therein, said sleeve members being movable relative to said spindle and heads in the axial direction thereof; and means including resilient insert means connected with each of said sleeve members and slideably engaging with said spindle to guide said sleeve members for axial movements toward and away from each other to thereby increase or reduce the overall length of said extendable drive shaft, said arcuate teeth and said insert means permitting slight displacements of said sleeve members from axial alignment with said spindle.

4. As a novel article of manufacture for use in a rolling mill for the production of wire and the like, an extendable drive shaft comprising, in combination: an elongated spindle having an axis, a first end, and a second end; a head at each of said ends and each formed with axially parallel arcuate teeth; and a first and a second sleeve member each comprising an elongated cylindrical portion coaxially surrounding said spindle and having a first and a second end, a ring connected with one end of said cylindrical portion, said ring and said cylindrical portion having internal teeth meshing with the teeth of one of said heads, and an annular end plate connected to the other end of the cylindrical portion and slideable along said spindle for guiding the respective sleeve member in the axial direction of said spindle toward and away from the other sleeve member to thereby increase or reduce the overall length of the drive shaft, said elongated cylindrical portions being adapted to extend conjointly along at least the major portion of the length of said elongated spindle.

5. An elongated spindle as set forth in claim 4, wherein the connection between each of said rings and the respective cylindrical portion is releasable and comprises a first flange on the ring, a second flange welded to the cylindrical portion, and threaded bolt means for connecting the first flange with the second flange.

6. As a novel article of manufacture for use in a rolling mill for the production of wire and the like, an extendable drive shaft comprising, in combination: an elongated spindle having an axis, a first end, and a second end; a head at each of said ends and each formed with axially parallel arcuate teeth; and a first and a second sleeve member each comprising an elongated cylindrical portion coaxially surrounding said spindle and having a first and a second end, a ring connected with one end of said cylindrical portion, said ring and said cylindrical portion having internal teeth meshing with the teeth of one of said heads, and an annular end plate connected to the other end of the cylindrical portion and slidable along said spindle for guiding the respective sleeve member in the axial direction of said spindle toward and away from the other sleeve member to thereby increase or reduce the over-all length of the drive shaft, each of said elongated cylindrical portions being adapted to extend along substantially one half of the length of said elongated spindle, and each end plate having a bore for the passage of said spindle and an insert of resilient material in said bore for permitting slight displacements of the respective sleeve member with respect to the axis of said spindle.

7. As a novel article of manufacture for use in a rolling mill for the production of wire and the like, an extendable drive shaft comprising, in combination: an elongated spindle having an axis, a first end, and a second end; a head at each of said ends and each formed with axially parallel arcuate teeth; a first and a second sleeve member each comprising an elongated cylindrical portion coaxially surrounding said spindle and having a first and a second end, a ring connected with one end of said cylindrical portion, said ring and said cylindrical portion having internal teeth meshing with the teeth of one of said heads, and an annular end plate connected to the other end of the cylindrical portion and slidable along said spindle for guiding the respective sleeve member in the axial direction of said spindle toward and away from the other sleeve member to thereby increase or reduce the overall length of the drive shaft, said elongated cylindrical portions being adapted to extend conjointly along substantial- 'ly the entire length of said elongated spindle, and said end plates being arranged to contact each other so as to limit movement of said sleeve members towards each other; driving means non-rotatably connected with one of said rings for rotating the same; and driven means of said rolling mill non-rotatably connected with the other of said rings so that said last-named means will be driven from said driving means through said cylindrical portions and said spindle, said driven means being shiftable from one position to another by changing the overall length of said drive shaft while maintaining the connection to said driving means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,835,506 Linn Dec. 8, 1931 2,050,497 McCollum Aug. 11, 1936 2,645,105 Bedson July 14, 1953 2,841,966 Belden et al. July 8, 1958 

1. AS A NOVEL ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE FOR USE IN A ROLLING MILL FOR THE PRODUCTION OF WIRE AND THE LIKE, AN EXTENDABLE DRIVE SHAFT COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: AN ELONGATED SPINDLE HAVING AN AXIS, A FIRST END, AND A SECOND END; A HEAD AT EACH OF SAID ENDS AND EACH FORMED WITH AXIALLY PARALLEL TEETH; A FIRST AND A SECOND SLEEVE MEMBER EACH INCLUDING A CHAMBER THEREIN FOR SLIDEABLY RECEIVING ONE OF SAID HEADS AND HAVING INTERNAL TEETH MESHING WITH THE TEETH OF THE RESPECTIVE HEAD, THE LENGTH OF SAID CHAMBER BEING EQUAL TO SEVERAL TIMES THE LARGEST DIAGONAL DIMENSION OF THE HEAD RECEIVED THEREIN, SAID SLEEVE MEMBERS BEING MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID SPINDLE AND HEADS IN THE AXIAL DIRECTION THEREOF; AND MEANS CONNECTED WITH EACH OF SAID SLEEVE MEMBERS AND SLIDABLY ENGAGING WITH SAID SPINDLE TO GUIDE SAID SLEEVE MEMBERS FOR AXIAL MOVEMENTS TOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER TO THEREBY INCREASE OR REDUCE THE OVERALL LENGTH OF SAID EXTENDABLE DRIVE SHAFT. 